Movie Theater: Jermiel Atkins – On3

Why Kentucky Will Become a POP in 2024

The tackle position was a major need for Kentucky in the 2025 high school recruiting cycle. New offensive line coach Eric Wolford It was necessary to help the program find more true tackle prospects who could be developed within the program. A third commitment at the position on Thursday capped a huge final month for the program.

Trotwood (Ohio) Madison Sr. Jermiel Atkins became the third offensive tackle to commit to Kentucky, choosing the SEC program over Minnesota and Virginia Tech.

The Wildcats are addressing their offensive tackle need in a big way, as Atkins will join Darrin Strey And Bryan Auguste in the class. What will the Dayton-area native bring to Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall? Atkins is a trait-rich prospect who possesses high potential as a pass protector.

Physical traits manifest in protection

Jermiel Atkins is one of the biggest tackle prospects in the 2025 cycle out of high school. The 30th-best player in Ohio stands at 6’4”, and that size shows on tape. The three-star prospect will need to develop better hitting skills at Kentucky, but he wasn’t a player added to be a mauler first and a protector second.

It’s immediately apparent that Atkins has a high ceiling as a tape protector.

Atkins has a solid start off the snap and is a player who can easily ascend to the second level, but his biggest asset at the next level is what he can become. Atkins is brimming with potential as a pass protector and it shows on video.

The right tackle can cover a ton of ground on a pass with his big frame and length. Atkins shows his ability to recover and shows good feet on his drops, making it even harder to work around him in protection.

Development prospects

Jermiel Atkins is the third player from Kentucky to sign as a tackle and he will bring a lot of potential to Kentucky’s offensive line. His pass protection skills are real and his raw size will give him a chance to add some power after spending time in a strength and conditioning program.

The three-star prospect has shown positional athleticism on video, both in the run and pass games. Atkins will need to improve his shooting and show he can play with real power against bigger opponents, but those are all things that can be improved.

Atkins will need some time to develop before he sees the field in the SEC, but this massive recruit gives Kentucky another big tackle prospect with some physical traits that can still be developed. Size can’t be taught, and if fundamental improvement is made, one could imagine Atkins becoming a quality tackle in college football due to his size and movement abilities.

The Wildcats have officially addressed a need by adding three true high school tackle prospects in the 2025 class. Jermiel Atkins gives Eric Wolford another young prospect to slot into one of the tackle positions on Kentucky’s roster.